PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In June Now Available - A.I. Data Center Guardrails

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In June is now available featuring articles on--

A.I. Data Center Guardrails

As budget negotiations dominated the General Assembly, House-approved bills addressing energy infrastructure and data center development continued to pile up in the Senate last month. 

All passed the House comfortably with broad bipartisan majorities:

-- HB 2650, codifying the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) principles for data center projects, approved June 24

-- HB 2496, enabling municipalities to impose a 180-day moratorium on data center development, approved June 24 by the full House and June 30 by the Senate Local Government Committee

-- HB 2359, enacting new transparency and public input requirements for local governments considering data center proposals, approved June 30 by the House

The newly-approved measures join several others passed by the House last spring in the Senate backlog, including two bills on which PEC provided significant input--

--  HB 2223, which requires utilities to consider emerging Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs) in infrastructure planning, and 

-- HB 1834, establishing consumer cost protections and requiring data centers to procure clean-firm energy sources. 

Other House-approved proposals address water usage by data centers and local control in zoning and land use decisions.

PEC urges the Senate to act swiftly on these bipartisan priorities, and encourages all Pennsylvanians to do the same. 

To that end, we've created a tool that makes it easy for constituents to reach their Senator with a message of support for House Bill 1834.

Click Here to make your voice heard.

-- Standing Up For Public Lands & Private Property Rights - PEC Opposes Senate Bill 857

-- Governor’s Awards For Environmental Excellence

-- A Vision For Southcentral PA Trail Network Takes Shape

-- PA River Sojourns - PA River Of The Year - Conestoga River

-- Collaborating On Green Stormwater Infrastructure

-- Circuit Trails Community Grants In Philadelphia Region

-- Connecting A Region - Parkersburg, WV to Connellsville, PA Trail System

-- Pocono Forests & Waters Mini Grants Announced

-- PEC Podcast: Advanced Electric Transmission Line Technology

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook.  Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts.  Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

[Posted: July 7, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

PA Solar Center Hosts July 31 Webinar On Going Solar Without Tax Incentives - Financing For Public Entities To Stabilize, Cut Your Energy Bills

The Pennsylvania Solar Center will host a July 31 webinar on Going Solar Without Tax Incentives - Financing for Public Entities from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

Right now, public entities like municipalities, schools, and municipal authorities have access to long-term, low-cost capital in an otherwise challenging borrower's market. 

Given the rising cost of electricity (and despite the lack of a solar tax credit), this allows most public entities to use solar to provide cost stabilization/predictability; significant long-term savings; and in many instances, year-one or year-two positive cash flows.

Join us for our July Watts & Learn webinar to discuss these opportunities with representatives from Raymond James (which manages the Rural Water Financing Agency), Baker & Calhoun (which manages the Delaware Valley Regional Financing Authority), and the Sustainable Energy Partnership in Southeastern PA.

Speakers will include: 

-- Mike McCraig, Managing Director, Raymond James

-- Lucien Calhoun, Administrator, DELVAL

-- Steve Goldfield, Sustainable Energy Partnership

-- Leo Kowalski, Director of Transformation, PA Solar Center

Who should attend? 

-- Elected officials and staff  

-- Renewable energy owners, operators and/or investors  

-- Solar developers  

-- General public and anyone interested in learning more!  

General Registration is $15 for this webinar, and is free for nonprofits, elected officials and legislative staff, as well as for the media and students.

Click Here to register and for more information.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit effort to raise the awareness of the benefits of solar energy in Pennsylvania. Click Here to sign up for regular updates.

[Posted: July 7, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Tuesday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 7.7.26

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

-- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution  [It’s Not A Suggestion]

House Voting Schedule

-- Adjourned to Sept. 28 - Call Of The House Speaker

September 28, 29, 30

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

Senate Voting Schedule

-- Call Of The Senate President Pro Tempore

​​September 28, 29, 30

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21

November 17, 18

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

Anything Can Happen: State Budget Marathon Continues!

July 8-- Agenda Posted. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:30 a.m.  [Agenda includes update on State Water Plan]

July 8-- DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00 a.m.

July 8-- DEP Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered [Mining] Equipment Meeting. DEP New Stanton Office.  10:00 a.m.

July 9-- DCNR Delaware Canal State Park Advisory Committee meeting. Delaware Canal State Park, Bucks & Northampton Counties. 10:30 a.m.  Contact for Location: 610-982-5560 or ra-nrspdela@pa.gov. (formal notice)

July 10-- Telephonic. Public Utility Commission Hearing On PPL Condemnation Of 30 Properties For The Sugarloaf 500/230KV Transmission Line In Luzerne County To Serve Data Centers 10:00 a.m.

July 14-- Agenda Posted. Environmental Quality Board meeting. 9:00 a.m. Contact: Laura Griffin, Regulatory Coordinator, laurgriffi@pa.gov,  (717) 772-3277.  Read more here on agenda.

July 14--  Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar: Preview Of 2026 Watershed-Friendly Tree And Shrub Sale To Help You Choose Plants Confidently. 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

July 15-- Agenda Posted. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:30 a.m.

July 15-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar On Private Water Supply Testing Packages Available From Penn State's Agricultural Analytical Services Lab. 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

July 15-16-- In-Person. PA Sea Grant Aquaponics Educator Workshop. Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie.

July 16--  In-Person. Penn State Extension Workshop  On Understanding PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Private Water Supplies. Uniontown, Fayette County. 1:00 p.m.

July 16-- In-Person. Powering America's Next 250 Years Energypath Conference Set For At Moravian University

-- Litter Lifters Of West Vincent Twp., Chester County Recognized With Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award  [PaEN] 

-- State Dept. Of Health Environmental Health Indicators Map Is Now Available To Show Potential Health Risks Near You, Including Oil & Gas Facilities & How To File A Report On A Health Concern  [PaEN]

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: Nicetown Residents In Philly Want Answers After PUC Finds Philadelphia Gas Works Not Responsible For Deadly Natural Gas Explosion

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Judge Upholds Ransom Twp. Denial Of Proposed Solar Energy Facility

-- LancasterOnline: Turkey Hill Dairy Wind Turbines Bold Reminder Of Green Energy Commitment

-- TribLive: Irwin Considering Electric Vehicle Charging Stations At Park, Downtown In Westmoreland County

-- Inquirer: Exploding, Small Lithium-ion Batteries Blamed For Fires In Area Junkyards And Drop In Port Traffic

-- Warren Times: Long-Term Options Sought For Tidioute Water Systems, Customers To Remain Under Boil Water Advisory For At Least Another Month, Advisory Started On March 18

-- TribLive: Failed Stormwater Infrastructure Owned By UPMC Caused Sinkhole In McCandless, Allegheny County, Town Manager Says

-- Family-Friendly Fun Planned For Penn State's Ag Progress Days Aug. 11-13  [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Penn State Extension Offers Free Water Testing/ PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’  Workshop July 16 In Uniontown 

-- Altoona Mirror: PA Outdoor Corps Members Cleanup Holy Trinity Rain Garden In Altoona

 

-- DCNR Seeks Applicants For NextGen Advisory Council  [PaEN] 

-- Game Commission Board Of Commissioners Meet In Harrisburg July 10 

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: Game Commission To Finalize Elk Zones, Start Solar Energy Facility Agreement, Add 1,700 Acres To Game Lands At July 10 Board Meeting

-- Game Commission Applauds Legislative Efforts To Make Hunter-Trapper Education Accessible In Schools

-- Williamsport Sun: Snapping Turtle Is Pennsylvania’s Dinosaur

-- Williamsport Sun: Homegrown National Park, Cornell Lab Of Ornithology Partner To Promote Bird-Friendly Habitats

 A.I. /Data Centers

-- TribLive: Answers Hard To Come By For Long-Term Plan Of Upper Burrell TECfusions A.I. Data Center In Westmoreland County

-- Spotlight PA: Where Shapiro, Garrity Stand On A.I. Data Centers

-- NPR: Pennsylvania’s Proposed A.I. Data Centers In Archbald Boro, Lackawanna County Are Bringing Strangers Together In Protest 

-- Reuters: A.I. Data Centers Driving Up Power Bills At America’s Rust Belt Factories [PA Included] 

-- Utility Dive: FERC Denies Waiver For $2 Billion Gas-Fired Power Plant In PJM’s Fast-Track Review

-- Inside Climate News: President Wants To Fast Track A.I., Plans For More Than 70 Gas-Fired Power Plants To Serve Data Centers 

Today’s Oil & Gas Violations

-- Today’s Violations: DEP found Pecora Enterprises conventional well in McKean County, Bradford Township still abandoned, not plugged since Jan. 25, 2024-- 893 days and counting…  DEP inspection report 

Storms/Power Outages

-- Morning Call: Days After Storms, Over 1,500 Are Still Without Power, May Not Be Restored Until Wednesday

-- The Center Square: Severe Storms Impact 64 Out Of 67 PA Counties Over Holiday Weekend

-- Pennsylvania Power Outages: 38,081 Household Without Power - July 7 - 7:00 a.m.  

-- Pennsylvania Power Outages: 105,571 Household Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m. 

-- PPL Electric Power Outages: 24,177 Customers Without Power - July 7 - 7:00 a.m. 

-- PPL Electric Power Outages: 75,046 Customers Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m.  

-- FirstEnergy Electric Power Outages: 10,192 Customers Without Power - July 7 - 7:00 a.m.

-- FirstEnergy Electric Power Outages: 28,709 Customers Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m.

-- PECO Electric Power Outages: 123 Customers Without Power - July 7 - 7:00 a.m.  

-- PECO Electric Power Outages: 3,359 Customers Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m.

-- Inquirer: PECO, Worker Union Reach A Deal, Ending Strike 

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- July 7: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Up 2 Pennies Since Yesterday, Now $3.97/Gallon - $.86/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Beaver County Average Price Still Highest at $4.41]

-- July 7: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $3.79 Ohio- $3.55  PA- $3.97

-- Feb. 27: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $2.98  Ohio- $2.79  PA- $3.11

-- Bloomberg: Qatari LNG Natural Gas Ship Struck By Missile In Strait Of Hormuz, Testing US Talks

Federal Administration [928 Days Remaining]

-- US DOE Announces $150 Million In Funding Available To Support Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment, Processing; Enhanced Unconventional Oil & Gas Recovery; Advanced Fracking, Well Diagnostics Projects  [PaEN]  

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- Spotlight PA: Where Shapiro, Garrity Stand On A.I. Data Centers

-- City & State PA: The Fight To Open Up The PA Senate Rules Meeting Room To Video Coverage 

-- PA Capital-Star: ‘Skill’ Gambling Game Decision In PA Could Ban Arcade Games Without Legislative Regulation

-- PennLive: Cost Increase Due To Failure Of Congress To Act Drive 160,000 Pennsylvanians To Drop Health Insurance Coverage, Eroding Insurance Gains 

-- Spotlight PA: PA Mom’s Fight Reveals The Messy Reality Of Treating Overdoses Like Homicides

-- WVIA: Former Bucknell Coach Charged With Felony Hazing In Football Player’s Death

-- WVIA: Truck Crash That Killed PA State Trooper Underscores Concerns About Granting CDLs To Noncitizens

-- Republican Herald: State Police Association Calls For Answers About Driver Who Struck, Killed State Trooper In Schuylkill County

-- Wall Street Journal Editorial: World Cup Had World Thinking Well Of The US, Then The President Called About A Red Card

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[Posted: July 7, 2026]  PA Environment Digest